Drake

Sparrow’s Hotel – First Impressions

First, the animation was just plain awful. Its only possible mark of quality was that it was in color. The movement was terribly awkward and the character designs did not fit the environment. The musical opening was also pretty unmemorable and did nothing to even remotely explain the anime. Once I regained my composure from the animation and accepted it, the plot – if we can even call this a plot – kicked in.

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Shadow

Devil May Cry

The world is relatively at peace…except for the occasional demon that slips through the demonic realm and into our world to cause a little chaos. They don’t last long, though, because Dante is back for more demon hunting, a little debt, more pizza and strawberry sundaes, as well as a few new friends and some old acquaintances.

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New in Japan

Arata: The Legend: First Impressions

One boy named Arata is tasked by the matriarch of his tribe to stall for time at the ceremony to become the next princess of the fantasy world of Amawakuni so a more suitable candidate can be found. The other is a first year high school student bullied and betrayed by his “friends,” first back in middle school, and now by someone else he trusted.

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New in Japan

Ketsuekigata-kun!: First Impressions

A narrator begins the Blood Type Quiz and asks which blood type doesn’t show their feelings when in love. What follows is a series of VERY short scenes, giving each anthropomorphized blood type a chance to show their characteristics.

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New in Japan

Pretty Rhythm Rainbow Live: First Impressions

I picked up this anime not expecting a whole lot from a show about rainbows, dancing, and singing featuring a thirteen year old. Set in modern day and very much geared for the pre-teen or teen demographic, Pretty Rhythm Rainbow Live (PRRL) is a show blending the magical girl and music idol genres with a bit of a twist. It’s bright, it’s happy, and it’s fun, but it lacks much depth which means one must be content with the what-you-see-is-what-you-get sparkles, copious amounts of rainbows, and numerous hearts.

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Kuroi

Flowers of Evil: First Impressions

I initially agreed to pick this up because of the director, Hiroshi Nagahama, who directed two of my favorites – Detroit Metal City and Mushi-shi – and the premise sounded interesting – psychological slice-of-life teenage drama. There’s a lot here to turn off potential viewers – the art style contrasts highly detailed backgrounds with character designs

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New in Japan

The Severing Crime Edge: First Impressions

This is a tricky series to classify. From the name, The Severing Crime Edge, as well as the font that the title is in, you’d think it’s a horror show. From the artwork, something lighter and sweet. From the description, a romantic comedy. I mean, come on. A guy who loves cutting hair a little too much and a girl with supposedly cursed hair that can never be cut? Match made in anime heaven.

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New in Japan

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2: First Impressions

I’ve gotta admit, this was the show I was most looking forward to this season. I’m a big Shin Megami Tensei fan, and I’ve always been disappointed in myself that I never got around to playing Devil Survivor 1 or 2. The fact that the anime is an adaptation of the second game might be a little off-putting to people, making them think that they missed something or need to have played the first game. However, it actually stands alone, so there’s no reason not to jump in.

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Shadow

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

World War III has descended upon humanity. Instead of the world falling into the Cold War, someone has, not pressed the big red button, but pulled an American trigger. Russia’s invasion of the U.S. continues, TF 141 has been disavowed, Soap and Price are war criminals, and Makarov continues to throw the world into chaos.

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